Stepper with wave type vibrator

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a stepper with a wave type vibrator, which enables a user to aerobically exercise his/her feet or other parts requiring training to harden the parts or reduce the body fat thereof, using both strong wave type vibrating motion of a step board and an improved multi-level control system, thus increasing the base metabolic rate of the user&#39;s body and realizing effective body fat reduction and an increase in muscle power. The stepper includes a stepper frame, a drive unit and a control unit. The stepper frame is composed of a box-shaped stand, a central column securely standing on the stand, and a handle arm extending outwards from each of left and right sides of the central column to an associated position on the stand. The drive unit is composed of a step board installed in the depression of the stand, with a plurality of acupressure protrusions and two far-infrared lamps, a drive motor mounted to the bottom wall of the step board, a drive belt wrapped around the output shaft of the drive motor, a driven pulley connected to the output shaft of the drive motor by the drive belt, a rotating shaft rotated by the driven pulley and divided into left and right shaft parts based on the driven pulley, and a vibrating bracket having an actuating link to be actuated in conjunction with rotation of the rotating shaft. The control unit is composed of a course setting unit for commanding the drive unit to execute four different vibrating motions and controlling power supply for the drive unit, and a far-infrared lamp controller for controlling a preset temperature and a preset operating time period of the far-infrared lamps.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates, in general, to steppers with wave type vibrators and, more particularly, to a motorized stepper with a wave type vibrator, which enables a user to aerobically exercise his/her feet or other parts requiring training to strengthen the parts or reduce the body fat thereof, using both the strong wave type vibrating motion of a step board and an improved multi-level control system, thus promoting an improvement in the base metabolic rate of the user's body and realizing effective body fat reduction and effective increase in muscular power.

2. Description of the Related Art

Generally, a variety of exercise machines or health machines may be provided in homes and health clubs. Thus, users can exercise using desired machines to harden and strengthen their bodies.

Conventional exercise machines or health machines are classified into two types: hand-operated machines, which are manually operated by users' power while the users exercise using the machines; and automatic machines, which are automatically operated using automatic mechanisms to reduce body fat and relax or contract the muscles of users and thus give exercise effects to the users.

In recent years, a variety of steppers, which are classified as automatic exercise machines, have been proposed to provide vibrating motions or shaking motions to users, thus reducing body fat or relaxing muscles and, further, relieving users' fatigue and thereby providing exercise effects to the users.

However, conventional steppers typically use small capacity motors and simple rotating links, so that the conventional steppers are problematic in that they have only a short life expectancy, and provide only weak and simple vibrating motions. Particularly, in the related art, the steppers have been studied and designed to realize only body fat reduction and hardening of users' muscles, so that the conventional steppers cannot realize a large variety of wave type vibrating motions or improved vibrating cycles. Further, the conventional steppers are not equipped with additional functions, demanded by users searching for healthy lifestyles. Thus, an exercise machine, which has a wave type vibrator and realizes multiple functions and can provide improved exercise effects, is demanded.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the related art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a motorized stepper with a wave type vibrator, which enables a user to aerobically exercise his/her feet or other parts requiring training to strengthen the parts or reduce the body fat thereof, using both the strong wave type vibrating motion of a step board and an improved multi-level control system, thus promoting an improvement in the base metabolic rate of the user's body and realizing effective body fat reduction and effective increase in muscle power.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a motorized stepper, which is used by a user to reduce body fat or increase muscular power using a vibrating unit, the stepper comprising: a stepper frame, comprising a box-shaped stand which is open on part of an upper surface thereof, with a depression defined in the stand; a central column securely standing on a predetermined portion of the upper surface of the stand, with a perforated receiver provided in an outer circumferential surface of the central column at a predetermined location; and a handle arm extending outwards from each of the left and right sides of the central column at a first end thereof and being secured to an associated portion on the upper surface of the stand at a second end thereof; a drive unit, comprising a step board installed in the depression of the stand, with a plurality of acupressure protrusions and a far-infrared lamp provided on the upper surface of the step board; a drive motor mounted to the upper surface of a bottom wall of the step board and implemented as a brushless motor (BLDC motor); a drive belt wrapped around an output shaft of the drive motor to be rotated in conjunction with the output shaft of the drive motor; a driven pulley connected to the output shaft of the drive motor by the drive belt wrapped around the driven pulley; a rotating shaft rotated in conjunction with the driven pulley and divided into left and right shaft parts based on the driven pulley; and a vibrating bracket having an actuating link to be actuated in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating shaft; and a control unit, comprising a course setting unit for commanding the drive unit to execute four different vibrating motions and controlling power supply for the drive unit; and a far-infrared lamp controller for controlling a preset temperature and a preset operating time for the far-infrared lamp of the step board.

In the stepper, the stepper frame may further comprise: a power lamp provided on the outer circumferential surface of the central column at a predetermined location.

In the stepper, the handle arm of the stepper frame may be provided with a heating wire to heat the handle arm to the preset temperature and to be turned on or off under the control of the control unit.

In the stepper, the step board of the drive unit may be provided with a protective depression and a transparent window for protecting the far-infrared lamp.

In the stepper, the control unit may further comprise both an automatic power-saving controller and a heating wire temperature controller.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a motorized stepper according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the motorized stepper of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a left-side view of the motorized stepper of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the motorized stepper of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a drive unit, constituting the motorized stepper of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a latitudinal sectional view of the drive unit of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the motorized stepper, schematically illustrating the location of the drive unit of FIG. 5 in the stepper;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a controller of the motorized stepper of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a manual for the controller of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a manual for a course setting unit of the motorized stepper of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a vibrating state of the motorized stepper, which is operated according to a preset course; and

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a drive motor (BLDC motor) used in the motorized stepper of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in greater detail to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

As shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 12, which show a motorized stepper of the present invention, a user can take exercise using the stepper and realize body fat reduction or an increase in muscle power. The stepper comprises: a stepper frame 100, on which the feet of the user or another part of the user's body requiring training to harden the part or reduce the body fat thereof can be placed; a drive unit 200, which is provided in a step board placed in the upper surface of the stepper frame 100 and produces a wave type vibrating motion; and a control unit 300, which controls a vibrating motion value, a wave motion value, multi-level courses, and power supply for the drive unit 200.

As shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 3, the stepper frame 100 comprises a box-shaped stand 110, which is open on part of the upper surface thereof, with a depression 111 defined in the stand 100. A central column 120 securely stands on a predetermined portion of the upper surface of the stand 110, with a perforated receiver 121 provided in the outer circumferential surface of the central column 120 at a predetermined location. Two handle arms 130 extend outwards from the left and right sides of the central column 120 at first ends thereof and are secured to associated portions on the upper surface of the stand 110 at second ends thereof, respectively.

The stand 110 comprises a flat rectangular box-shaped body having a predetermined surface area, on which a user can stand or place his/her arms or legs to receive a massage or exercise with wave motions. A preferable example of the flat box-shaped stand 110 has a size of 60˜100 cm in width, 30˜60 cm in length, and 10˜20 cm in thickness.

The stand 110 is open on the central part of the upper surface thereof, thus forming a depression 111. The drive unit 200, comprising a step board 210 which will be described later herein, is seated in the depression 111.

In the present invention, a shock-absorbing rubber (not shown) is preferably provided on the lower surface of the stand 110, thus supporting the load applied to the stand 110 by a user when the user exercises on the stepper. Particularly, urethane wheels (not shown) and wheel stop pins (not shown) are preferably provided on the lower surface of the stand 110, so that, when the stepper is used indoors, the stepper can be easily and freely moved on the floor to a desired place, without limitation of the installation area, and can be stably and safely fixed at the desired location after being moved.

The central column 120 stands on the central portion of the stand 110 at a predetermined location and is provided with a longitudinal through hole, which communicates with the depression 111 in the stand 110. The control unit 300, which will be described in detail later herein, is provided on the upper end surface of the central column 120. Electric wires, which connect the control unit 300 to the drive unit 200, pass through the longitudinal through hole of the central column 120.

The perforated receiver 121 is preferably provided in the central column 120 at a predetermined location, for example, at a location facing a user when the user stands up on the stand 110. In the present invention, the perforated receiver 121 is preferably embodied as a perforated drawer, which can be ejected from and retracted into the circumferential surface of the central column 120.

The perforated receiver 121 can contain an aromatic substance, such as herbs, therein and emits natural perfume into the atmosphere, thus allowing a user to exercise while enjoying a fragrant atmosphere.

The perforated receiver 121 is preferably received in a rectangular recess, which is formed in the central column 120 during a process of molding the central column 120, such that the perforated receiver 121 can be ejected from or retracted into the rectangular recess. A finger-handle is preferably mounted on the front surface of the perforated receiver 121, thus allowing a user to easily open or close the perforated receiver 121. The perforated receiver 121 is also provided with a plurality of perforations over the entire surface thereof, except for the finger-handle, thus realizing smooth ventilation and smooth emission of natural perfume from the aromatic contained in the receiver 121.

Further, the stepper frame 100 preferably comprises a power lamp 140, which is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the central column 120 at a predetermined location.

The power lamp 140 allows a user to confirm the state of power supply to the drive unit 200, so that the user can easily and reliably confirm the state of the stepper before and after exercising using the stepper.

In the present invention, the handle arms 130 securely connect the central column 120 to the stand 110 and support a user's body. Particularly, heating wires 131 are preferably provided in the handle arms 130 of the stepper frame 100, so that the handle arms 130 can be heated to a preset temperature under the control of the control unit 300, or can be turned on/off.

In the present invention, the heating wires 131 are preferably configured such that they can heat the handle arms 130 to a preset temperature for a preset operating time period.

As shown in FIG. 4 through FIG. 7 and FIG. 12, the drive unit 200 comprises the step board 210, which is installed in the depression 111 of the stand 110, with a plurality of acupressure protrusions 211 and two far-infrared lamps 212 provided on the upper surface of the step board 210. A drive motor 220, comprising a brushless motor (BLDC motor), is mounted to the upper surface of a bottom wall 290 of the step board 210. A drive belt 230 is wrapped around the output shaft of the drive motor 220 and is rotated in conjunction with the output shaft of the drive motor 220. A driven pulley 240 is connected to the output shaft of the drive motor 220 by the drive belt 230, which is also wrapped around the driven pulley 240. A rotating shaft 250 is rotated in conjunction with the driven pulley 240. The rotating shaft 250 is divided into left and right shaft parts, based on the driven pulley 240. Two vibrating brackets 260, each having an actuating link 261, are actuated in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating shaft 250 by the actuating links 261.

The step board 210 is configured to correspond to the depression 111 of the stand 110 and is received in the depression 111, such that the step board 210 slightly protrudes upwards from the upper surface of the stand 110, thus forming a surface for supporting a part of a user's body requiring a massage, muscle exercise or fat reduction.

While a user takes exercise using the stepper, the user may stand on the step board 210 with the soles of his/her feet in contact with the surface of the step board 210, or may place a specific part of his/her body requiring exercise on the surface of the step board 210, and presses the step board 210 downwards due to gravity. In the above state, when the plurality of acupressure protrusions 211 is provided on the upper surface of the step board 210, it is possible to increase the exercise effects realized by the vibrating motions.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the two far-infrared lamps 212 are provided in the surface between the acupressure protrusions 211 and emit far-infrared rays to a user.

The far-infrared lamps 212 are installed in the upper surface of the step board 210 at predetermined locations and are operated to emit far-infrared rays at a preset temperature for a preset time period in response to a control signal output from a far-infrared lamp controller 320 of the control unit 300. Thus, the far-infrared lamps 212 can assist the metabolism of the user's body and improve the user's health.

In the present invention, to protect the far-infrared lamps 212, the step board 210 of the drive unit 200 is preferably provided with a protective depression 213 and a transparent window 214.

The step board 210 is preferably made of an aluminum-based material, such that the step board 210 is light and has high durability, and thus can be used for a lengthy period of time.

A support bracket 270, which has hinges 285, is provided under the lower surface of the step board 210 and is stably supported on the bottom wall 290 of the step board 210 by support guides 280. The support bracket 270 can execute seesaw motion around the center of the step board 210.

In the present invention, as shown in FIG. 12, the drive motor 220 is preferably secured to the upper surface of the bottom wall 290 of the step board 210. Further, the drive motor 220 preferably comprises a brushless motor (BLDC motor).

The brushless motor (BLDC motor) is an important element of the drive unit 200 of the present invention. The theory of the brushless motor (BLDC motor) will be described in detail herein below.

In a conventional DC motor, having a brush, electric current flows in a coil due to contact between a commutator and the brush. However, this type of DC motor is problematic in that the brush becomes abraded within a short period of time. However, unlike the conventional DC motor, the brushless motor (BLDC motor) of the present invention uses no brush, and instead, enables the electric current to flow in a coil using both a non-contact position sensor and a semiconductor device.

Thus, although the torque generation theory of the brushless motor remains the same as a conventional DC motor, the brushless motor is advantageous in that it produces lower noise and lower vibration, saves electricity, provides strong torque and can be easily controlled by an electronic controller during high speed rotation of a rotor.

The brushless motor (BLDC motor) is structurally characterized in that, as shown in FIG. 12, it is a fixed coil type motor, which uses no contact element, such as a brush, to realize the flow of electric current in the coil. Thus, it is possible to realize a variety of embodiments of brushless motors according to the locations of magnetic rotors producing magnetic fields, the formation of magnetic paths, and the arrangement of coils in the motors.

For example, an outer rotor type motor is configured such that a rotor is arranged in the outside area of the motor and forms a rotating magnetic field in the inside area of the motor. Thus, the outer rotor type motor can generate a high inertia moment of the rotor and is particularly advantageous in that it can operate at a constant speed. Further, in the outer rotor type motor, a relatively large-sized magnetic rotor can be realized, thus providing high operational efficiency and high torque, and reducing the average length of each turn of the coil. Therefore, the outer rotor type motor realizes reduced loss and increased operational efficiency.

Meanwhile, an inner rotor type motor is configured such that a rotor is arranged in the inside area of the motor and forms a rotating magnetic field in the outside area of the motor.

Such an inner rotor type BLDC motor is an important embodiment of the drive motor 220 of the present invention, which is advantageous in that the inertia moment of the rotor is lower than that of the outer rotor type motor and, further, a simple motor structure can be realized.

In other words, the inner rotor type brushless motor (BLDC motor) has both advantages of the AC motor and advantages of the DC motor. When the inner rotor type brushless motor (BLDC motor) is electronically controlled by the control unit 300 of the present invention, the motor provides durability and stability capable of realizing active and variable forward or reverse directional rotation, generates lower mechanical and electrical noise, and can be easily controlled by an electronic controller during high speed operation.

In other words, the brushless motor (BLDC motor) has a structure, which functions as a transformer in the drive unit 200 and has no brush, and has an improved low speed torque compensating function, thus producing strong power, generating less noise, and having improved durability.

The brushless motor enables the control unit 300 of the stepper to produce four-level lower speed and high speed vibrating motions, and has improved durability resisting transformed wave motions, which are variously changed in accordance with a preset course. Further, unlike the conventional simple DC motors and AC motors, the brushless motor quickly responds to a control signal output from a control unit.

In the present invention, the output shaft of the drive motor 220 is provided with a drive pulley, around which the drive belt 230 is wrapped.

The drive belt 230 is also wrapped around the driven pulley 240, thus connecting the driven pulley 240 to the drive pulley of the motor 220.

The rotating shaft 250, which is rotated in conjunction with the driven pulley 240, is divided into left and right shaft parts, based on the driven pulley 240.

Further, the two vibrating brackets 260, having the respective actuating links 261, are actuated in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating shaft 250 by the actuating links 261.

Described in detail, the drive belt 230, which is rotated by the drive motor 220, rotates the driven pulley 240, thus transmitting the rotating force of the motor 220 to the rotating shaft 250. In the above state, the opposite ends of the rotating shaft 250 are eccentrically coupled to the lower ends of the respective actuating links 261, so that the vibrating brackets 260 can repeatedly move upwards and downwards during the rotation of the rotating shaft 250.

In the above state, the support bracket 270, which has the hinges 285, is placed under the lower surface of the step board 210, and is supported on the bottom wall 290 of the step board 210 by the support guides 280, can execute seesaw motion around the center of the step board 210 based on the hinges 285 and the support guides 280. Thus, when the lower ends of the actuating links 261 are eccentrically rotated by the rotating shaft 250, the vibrating brackets 260 can execute seesaw motion to be moved upwards and downwards due to eccentricity.

In the embodiment, the rotating shaft 250 is provided with ball bearings 252 in the junctions between the opposite ends of the shaft 250 and the respective actuating links 261, with axial bearings 251 fitted over the shaft 250 at predetermined positions to support rotation of the shaft 250.

As shown in FIG. 8 through FIG. 11, the control unit 300 comprises: a course setting unit 310, which commands the drive unit 200 to execute four different vibrating motions and controls power supply for the drive unit 200; and the far-infrared lamp controller 320, which controls the preset temperature and the preset operating time of the far-infrared lamps 212 of the step board 210.

The control unit 300 preferably further comprises an automatic power-saving controller 330 and a heating wire temperature controller 340.

Described in detail, in operation, the control unit 300 receives electricity from an outside power source, thus initializing a display panel. In the present invention, the display panel comprises a light emitting diode (LED) lamp, which enables a user to reliably confirm the operational state of the stepper and produces clear images.

Thereafter, a user sets a desired exercise course, in which desired wave motions are produced. In the above state, when the user on the step board 210 operates the far-infrared lamps 212, the lamps 212 emit the far-infrared rays to the user.

Further, the user may select a handle arm heating function. In the above state, the heating wires 131 of the respective handle arms 130 are electrically activated to heat the handle arms 130, so that the user can more comfortably use the stepper in the winter season.

Further, the control unit 300 preferably has the automatic power-saving controller 330, so that, when the stepper is not operated for a preset time period, the control unit 300, including the display panel, is turned off.

As shown in FIG. 9, the course setting unit 310 commands the drive unit 200 to generate four different vibrating motions, and controls the power supply for the drive unit 200 as follows.

1. When a power switch is turned on, the display panel and the power lamp are turned on.

2. Thereafter, a user manipulates one of the direction keys on the display panel, thus changing the menu on the screen of the display panel into a mode selection menu.

3. In the above case, predetermined characters, for example, A, B, C and D, which denote the four different vibrating courses, respectively, appear on the display panel, so that the user can select a desired vibrating course, prior to taking exercise in the selected vibrating course.

4. In the present invention, the vibrating courses, controlled by the course setting unit 310, are preferably executed for respective preset time periods. When a timer stops counting time after a preset time period has elapsed, the wave type vibrating motion of the stepper is stopped.

5. If the drive unit 200 has not been operated for a time period preset by the automatic power-saving controller 330, the power supply for the stepper, including the control unit 300, is automatically turned off.

As described above, the course setting unit 310 can control the level of the wave type vibrating motion in four levels, as shown in FIG. 9 through FIG. 11. Particularly, the course setting unit 310 can control the strength of the vibrating motions.

1. First step-form wave type vibrating course: this course is denoted “A-course” and is preset to continue for ten minutes, as an example. In the first step-form wave type vibrating course, the control unit 300 is preset such that, during an initial 15 second section or a final 15 second section thereof, the stepper is operated at a low speed and produces a weak vibrating motion, and the step board 210 executes seesaw motion around the hinges.

After the initial 15 seconds have elapsed, a preset basic speed step, for example, the fifteenth step of thirty-five preset steps (see FIG. 11, showing a speed controller) is executed for a preset time period.

In every section of the first step-form wave type vibrating course, including the initial and final sections, the user can control the speed of the vibrating motion while exercising using the stepper. The speed of the vibrating motion can be freely controlled by manipulating speed control keys among a plurality of direction keys appearing on the display panel.

In other words, the first step-form wave type vibrating course enables a user to exercise with stable vibrating motions at constant speeds.

2. Second step-form wave type vibrating course: this course is denoted “B-course” and is preset to continue for ten minutes, as an example. In the second step-form wave type vibrating course, the control unit 300 is preset such that, during an initial 15 second section or a final 15 second section of the second step-form wave type vibrating course, the stepper is operated at a low speed and produces a weak vibrating motion, and the step board 210 executes seesaw motion around the hinges.

After the initial 15 seconds have elapsed, a preset basic speed step, for example, one of the thirty-five preset steps, at which the speed is gradually increased to exceed a preset maximum speed and is gradually reduced to the speed of the initial section after exceeding the maximum speed, is executed for a preset time period.

Described in detail, when the intermediate 2 minute section of the total exercise time period in the second step-form wave type vibrating course, that is the section from the 4 minute point to the 6 minute point of a total exercise time period of 10 minutes, is designated as the maximum speed section, the speed is gradually increased for 2 minutes before the maximum speed section and is gradually reduced for 2 minutes after the maximum speed section. Thus, the speed variation curve in an exercise cycle graph of the second step-form wave type vibrating course is symmetrical, based on the maximum speed section. In other words, in the initial section, the speed is gradually increased to reach the speed of the maximum speed section, and, after passing the peak of the curve, the speed is gradually reduced to reach the speed of the final section.

In every section of the second step-form wave type vibrating course, including the initial and final sections, the user can control the speed of the vibrating motion while exercising using the stepper. The speed of the vibrating motion can be freely controlled by manipulating the speed control keys among the plurality of direction keys appearing on the display panel.

In other words, during the second step-form wave type vibrating course, the stepper vibrates at a low-middle speed step (tenth step) for 2 seconds, vibrates at a middle speed step (twentieth step) for 2 seconds, and vibrates at a high speed step (thirtieth step) for 4 minutes, and, thereafter, sequentially executes the middle speed step and the low-middle speed step, thus realizing speed variation.

3. First sine wave type vibrating course: this course is denoted “C-course” and is preset to continue for ten minutes, as an example. In the first sine wave type vibrating course, the control unit 300 is preset such that the wave vibrating motion starts as a weak vibrating motion at a zero speed step and reaches a preset high speed step, for example, the thirtieth step of the thirty-five speed steps, within a predetermined time period, for example, 2 minutes after starting the vibrating motion, and, thereafter, reaches a preset low speed step, for example, the fifth step of the thirty-five steps, within a predetermined time period, for example, 4 minutes after starting the vibrating motion. The above-mentioned cycle is repeated many times at equal intervals for 10 minutes, which are the total exercise time period, so that the intensity of the vibrating motion can be repeatedly increased and reduced during the first sine wave type vibrating course. This wave type vibrating motion is realized by seesaw motion of the step board 210, which is executed around the hinges.

In every section of the first side wave type vibrating course, including the initial and final sections, the user can control the speed of the vibrating motion while exercising using the stepper. The speed of the vibrating motion can be freely controlled by manipulating the speed control keys among the plurality of direction keys provided on the display panel.

In other words, in the first sine wave type vibrating course, a unit exercising cycle, in which the speed of the vibrating motion is continuously increased and reduced, is repeated many times over 10 minutes, which is the total exercise time period.

4. Second sine wave type vibrating course: this course is denoted “C-course” and is preset to continue for ten minutes, as an example. In the second sine wave type vibrating course, the control unit 300 is preset such that the sine wave curve in the exercise cycle graph of the second sine wave type vibrating course is determined by compressing the first sine wave type vibrating course relative to the speed axis of the graph. Thus, in the second sine wave type vibrating course, the sections in which the speed is increased and the sections in which the speed is reduced become shorter than those of the first sine wave type vibrating course. Thus, the speed of the vibrating motion in the second sine wave type vibrating course varies more quickly than in the first sine wave type vibrating course.

In the second sine wave type vibrating course, the wave vibrating motion starts as a weak vibrating motion at a zero speed step and reaches a preset high speed step, for example, the thirtieth step of the thirty-five speed steps, within a predetermined time period, for example, 1 minute after starting the vibrating motion, and, thereafter, reaches a preset low speed step, for example, the fifth step of the thirty-five speed steps, within a predetermined time period, for example, 2 minutes after starting the vibrating motion. The above-mentioned cycle is repeated many times at equal intervals for 10 minutes, which is the total exercise time period, so that the intensity of the vibrating motion can be repeatedly increased and reduced during the second sine wave type vibrating course. This wave type vibrating motion is realized by seesaw motion of the step board 210, which is executed around the hinges.

In every section of the second sine wave type vibrating course, including the initial and final sections, the user can control the speed of the vibrating motion while exercising using the stepper. The speed of the vibrating motion can be freely controlled by manipulating the speed control keys among the plurality of direction keys appearing on the display panel.

As described above, in the stepper according to the present invention, which can provide a variety of variable vibrating courses in response to different body weights of users, the drive motor, operated in conjunction with the control unit, is embodied as a BLDC motor, thus being advantageous in that it provides strong drive power and high durability, realizes high operational reliability while the motor is forwardly and reversely rotated at high speed, saves electricity, and generates less noise.

Further, the control unit 300 is equipped with the far-infrared lamp controller 320, which controls the preset temperature and preset operational time period of the far-infrared lamps 212 of the step board 210.

The control of the preset temperature and preset operational time period of the far-infrared lamps 212 serves to provide more comfortable exercising conditions to users. The preset temperature and the preset operating time of the far-infrared lamps 212 can be controlled by manipulating designated keys, which appear on the display panel.

In the present invention, the control unit 300 preferably further comprises the heating wire temperature controller 340.

The heating wire temperature controller 340 controls the operation of the heating wires 131, which are provided in the handle arms 130, thus heating the handle arms 130 to a predetermined temperature, so that the user can more comfortably use the stepper in the winter season. The heating wire temperature controller 340 is preferably provided with a thermostat, so that, if the heating wires 131 overheat, the heating wires 131 are automatically turned off.

As is apparent from the above description, the stepper according to the present invention provides advantages in that a user can get excellent aerobic exercise effects using the stepper within a short period of time, and can exercise a desired part of his/her body in a concentrated manner, thus realizing an improvement in the base metabolic rate of his/her body and efficient fat reduction effects.

Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. 

1. A stepper with a wave type vibrator, which is used by a user to reduce body fat or increase muscle power using a vibrating unit, the stepper comprising: a stepper frame, comprising: a box-shaped stand that is open on part of an upper surface thereof, with a depression defined in the stand; a central column securely standing on a predetermined portion of the upper surface of the stand, with a perforated receiver provided in an outer circumferential surface of the central column at a predetermined location; and a handle arm extending outwards from each of left and right sides of the central column at a first end thereof and being secured to an associated portion on the upper surface of the stand at a second end thereof; a drive unit, comprising: a step board installed in the depression of the stand, with a plurality of acupressure protrusions and a far-infrared lamp provided on an upper surface of the step board; a drive motor mounted to an upper surface of a bottom wall of the step board and comprising a brushless motor (BLDC motor); a drive belt wrapped around an output shaft of the drive motor to be rotated in conjunction with the output shaft of the drive motor; a driven pulley connected to the output shaft of the drive motor by the drive belt wrapped around the driven pulley; a rotating shaft rotated in conjunction with the driven pulley and divided into left and right shaft parts based on the driven pulley; and a vibrating bracket having an actuating link to be actuated in conjunction with rotation of the rotating shaft; and a control unit, comprising: a course setting unit for commanding the drive unit to execute four different vibrating motions and controlling power supply for the drive unit; and a far-infrared lamp controller for controlling a preset temperature and a preset operating time period of the far-infrared lamp of the step board.
 2. The stepper with the wave type vibrator as set forth in claim 1, wherein the stepper frame further comprise: a power lamp provided on the outer circumferential surface of the central column at a predetermined location.
 3. The stepper with the wave type vibrator as set forth in claim 1, wherein the handle arm of the stepper frame is provided with a heating wire to heat the handle arm to the preset temperature or to be turned on or off under control of the control unit.
 4. The stepper with the wave type vibrator as set forth in claim 1, wherein the step board of the drive unit is provided with a protective depression and a transparent window for protecting the far-infrared lamp.
 5. The stepper with the wave type vibrator as set forth in claim 1, wherein the control unit further comprises: both an automatic power-saving controller and a heating wire temperature controller. 